What does Ayu mean in Duty...?

[Chiharo]

Okay,so these lyrics confuse me.
Does anyone knows what Ayu means by:

"Everyone is convinced
that that "thing" they're searching
for is in the future.
But how many people have realized
that "it" is actually in the past?
I can't even guess."


"If, after simplifying it
a bit more, you think that "it"
merely connects and arranges memories,
then wouldn't everyone
already have "it?"
I want you to realize that."


Now,what does Ayu mean by this?
What does she mean by "it"??
Sorry if this is an useless thread,but I wa really
wondering since it's really bothering me if I don't
understand what is Ayu trying to tell me

[AyUta]

I've wanted to know what she meant there too!
Anyone?

[YuriChan]

It's either she's talking about life or she's talking about love! If it is love, it's because it's something that everybody wants, but they don't realize that they had it to begin with! Do you understand what I'm trying to get at? XDD

[Corybobory]

Hm my guess is 'happiness', or 'a good life' or soemthing. Like "you don't know what you got till it's gone" kind of thing... people are searching for what they already have, but are takign it for granted.

That translation always confused me. Here is my translation of Duty.

We all search, convinced
That the "thing" we want
Is somewhere in the future.
But how many people realize
That it just might be in the past?
I can't even guess.

I am sure I saw the end of an era
With my own eyes.
But I didn't want to know
That it was my turn next.

Yes, to put it more simply,
The "thing" only linked
And lined up our memories.
If so, might everyone already have it
Without even knowing?
That's why I want you to realize.

I am sure I saw the end of an era
With my own eyes.
And the truth is, I know
That it is my turn next.

You will find it for me, won't you?
I'll take my chances and trust
That you will find it for me.

I am sure I saw the end of an era
With my own eyes.
But I didn't want to know
That it was my turn next.

Basically, Ayu is saying that we are all searching so frantically for something to complete us, that we don't realize when we have already found it.

My interpretation of the song is that the "thing" we all want is happiness and fulfillment. In the first verse, this could be understood as a situation in which a person is so focused on the future and self-betterment, that he/she takes for granted all the happiness and success already achieved.

In the second verse, she talks about how this "thing" lines up and connects people's memories. This could be understood to be the sort of happiness and fulfillment found in relationships (the bond of memories between two people). She says that, if we already have this bond of memories (which we all do), shouldn't we already be happy?

As far as "the end of an era", I think she is talking about growing up, and realizing that it is now your turn to go out and find this happiness on your own, rather than having someone else do it for you like when you're a child.

The bridge demonstrates that this security may be what Ayu really craves; to just surrender this heavy responsibility (or "duty") to someone else who will take care of it for her. This makes sense for a perfectionist who pushes him/herself to such a limit, that even he/she needs just one moment without having to worry about everything alone.

If you analyze the Japanese in the bridge, it has the connotations of:

"If it's you, you'll find it for me."

Or more clearly:

"You're the one who will find it for me."

This shows that Ayu isn't prepared to surrender this duty to just anyone; she would rather take care of it herself. But she is holding out for just one person who she can depend on to take the weight off her shoulders, because she is actually terrified of the tasks she takes on so bravely.

[AyUta]

Originally Posted by HONEY_INSPIRE_ME19

It's either she's talking about life or she's talking about love! If it is love, it's because it's something that everybody wants, but they don't realize that they had it to begin with! Do you understand what I'm trying to get at? XDD

That's what I thought, or at least it was close to yours

[Chiharo]

WOW,evolusean,you really explained the whole song well!
I think I understand everything now xD!
And your translation of the song is really more clearer

And I have one question for Trust,in DivineAyu lyrics translation it says " I've never believed in the red thread.",so what is the "red thread"???

[Aga-chan]

^There's this belief that lovers are connected with a red thread on their pinkies. The red thread symbolizing destiny. (Ever seen Otsuka Ai's "POCKET" PV? It shares the same symbolism.) Therefore ayu sings in the next line that she thought destiny was something one could grasp.

And I thought "end of an era" in "Duty" refers to the end of her career?

PS. You can read more on the meaning of the red thread here. ^^

[Chiharo]

Thank you for clearing that up for me!
Now I finally understand it all...whew,thank you guys

Originally Posted by Aga-chan

And I thought "end of an era" in "Duty" refers to the end of her career?

That makes a lot of sense, too, now that I think about it. It was just before the whole A BEST era.